TRAVEL: Amsterdam’s Room Mate Aitana, Where Business Meets Pleasure

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AmsterdamRoom Mate Aitana, where each stay is a unique experience.

Each October, the music industry and dance music fans from around the globe embark on a pilgrimage known as ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event). Though Amsterdam may not boast any natural wonders, the city is an excellent destination for combining business with pleasure.

In line with the Room Mate Hotels philosophy, that “the best way to travel is by visiting friends.”

Room Mate Aitana is a designer hotel nestled on a new artificial island in the IJ River. At the heart of IJDOK, Room Mate Aitana serves as an ideal basecamp during the hectic week known as ADE. In addition, the hotel is just a short drive from the Centrum a/k/a the central business district and is conveniently located within walking distance from Amsterdam Central Station, Dam Square, the historic center of the city. Making the hotel the perfect choice whether you’re traveling by rail or by air. Note: one can easily take the 30-minute express train to Schipol Airport.

First Impression

The trendy hotel opened its doors on August 20, 2013, the brainchild of Dutch architects Ben Loerakker and Jan Bakers in collaboration with Spanish interior designer Tomas Alia. The 13-story building with 283 light, spacious rooms and suites is part of the Spanish Room Mate hotel chain, with seven meeting rooms, several lounge bars, a restaurant, and a gym, and offers free Wi-Fi. Muy bueno: in keeping with Spanish customs and hospitality, guests can enjoy breakfast until 12 noon.

CHECK-IN

As a returning guest, check-in was a breeze and hassle-free. The welcome center/reception greeted us with a smile and ensured our every-whim was accommodated during for the rest of our workation. Due to our early arrival, our requested (Corner Junior Suite) room was still being prepared. Without hesitation, the front desk immediately offered to store our luggage while we went about our ADE business.

LOBBY / MEZZANINE

The massive mezzanine lobby served as our make shift living room during our whirlwind week of business and leisure. We often hung out at the hotel’s mezzanine bar to enjoy a glass of vino, some bubbly or a cold beer to de-stress after a long day of attending ADE panels and meetings. It’s a must when you visit the Aitana. Just take in the views!

Our Corner Junior Suite Room

ROOM

Our requested corner Junior Suite (538 ft²) was personalized for our arrival. The appeal of staying in an all-glass hotel with dazzling 360 views of Amsterdam is only one of the hotel’s main draw. The trendy designed suite has central air and heat, flat-screen tv and a well-stocked minibar. Clean, spacious and a comfortable bed to boost. Our massive Junior Suite came with a six person dining table, a living room, and a work desk. The equally spacious bathroom with his and her sinks, a separate shower, and a bathtub was exactly what we had in mind for our business and leisure needs.

ACTIVITIES

Located in the heart of Amsterdam. It’s an easy hop to the main tourist attractions of the city and a gateway to Rotterdam and Brussels. It’s also located next to the new Court House and you can go for a walk along the private pier to enjoy the canals.

FOOD

Since we were constantly on the go, we did not have time to sample their highly acclaimed restaurant and outdoor cafe. On the occasion, we managed to order room-service, they accommodated our request for some hard to find local brews–served ice cold in a bucket.

SERVICE

Third times the charm, top-notch service. Always ready to answer any questions and provide excellent recommendations. The personalized welcome waiting in our room was a great touch. Immediately making us feel at home. As we’ve come to expect with the Room Mate brand, our room was spotlessly cleaned daily, and the staff did a quality check daily. That’s service!

VERDICT

The sleek and modern design of Room Mate Aitana makes it easy to spot from afar. Offering business space (seven meeting rooms), several lounge bars, a restaurant, and an outdoor cafe. The all-glass hotel also has a gym, a fitness center, and offers free high-speed WI-FI throughout the hotel. Aside from the aesthetic, what really stands out with every visit to the Aitana is the excellent service and the amenities of a premium hotel. No wonder it’s our go-to choice for mixing business with leisure whenever we’re in Amsterdam.

From personalized welcome package to exceptional amenities and service, Room Mate Aitana went the extra mile to cater to every request.

Room Mate Aitana – Amsterdam

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ABOUT ROOM MATE HOTELS

A hotel chain with a global and international vision, founded in Spain in 2005 by the renowned business magnate Kike Sarasola. Its philosophy is based on the idea that the best way of traveling is by visiting friends in different cities, friends with similar lifestyles who can show us what they have learned and experienced in the city by giving us a guided tour.

Room Mate Hotels boasts 26 hotels – equating to close to 1,800 available rooms – and has a further 11 hotel openings in the pipeline. Its hotels are designed as “homes” for visitors looking for comfort, hospitality and the welcoming spirit that its great team offers its guests.

Design plays a defining role at Room Mate Hotels. Renowned designers such as Patricia Urquiola, Lázaro Rosa Violán, Tomás Alía, Lorenzo Castillo, Pascua Ortega, and Teresa Sapey, among others, have all showcased their design prowess on the company’s hotels throughout the world.

www.room-matehotels.com

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